(1)This section applies where—
(a)a certificate is issued under section 54D(4)(b) or (6)(b), and
(b)the trustee ascertains the whereabouts of the debtor or the debtor makes contact with the trustee.
(2)Where the Accountant in Bankruptcy is the trustee, the Accountant in Bankruptcy may discharge the debtor at any time after the date which is 12 months after the date on which—
(a)the whereabouts of the debtor were ascertained, or
(b)the debtor made contact with the trustee.
(3)Where the Accountant in Bankruptcy is not the trustee, the trustee must prepare and send a report to the Accountant in Bankruptcy without delay after the date which is 10 months after the earlier of the date on which—
(a)the whereabouts of the debtor were ascertained by the trustee, or
(b)the debtor made contact with the trustee.
(4)If the trustee sends a report to the Accountant in Bankruptcy under subsection (3)—
(a)the report must include the matters included in a report sent to the Accountant in Bankruptcy in accordance with subsection (5) of section 54, and
(b)subsection (6) of that section applies to the report as it applies to a report sent in accordance with subsection (4) of that section.
(5)After receiving a report under subsection (3), the Accountant in Bankruptcy may discharge the debtor by granting a certificate of discharge in the prescribed form.
(6)Before deciding whether to discharge the debtor under subsection (5), the Accountant in Bankruptcy must—
(a)consider the report prepared by the trustee under subsection (3), and
(b)take into account any representations received during the period mentioned in subsection (6) of section 54 (as applied in accordance with subsection (4)).
(7)A discharge under subsection (2) or (5) must not take effect on a date before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day of notification of the decision.
(8)A discharge under subsection (2) or (5) is deemed for the purposes of section 55 to have been given under section 54(2).]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 54D-54G inserted (30.6.2014 for specified purposes, 1.4.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 11), ss. 19, 57(2); S.S.I. 2014/172, art. 2, sch.; S.S.I. 2014/261, art. 3 (with arts. 4-7, 12) (as amended by S.S.I. 2015/54, art. 2)